Charles & Marie

While reading last month’s issue of Domino Magazine, I came across the coolest little thing... it’s called the Sunjar, by Tobias Wong. It literally soaks up solar energy during the day and stores it for use in the evening. How awesome is that? Anyway, I immediately went online to find it, and found about 10 other things I want from Charles & Marie.

Here are some of my favorites including the Sunjar, and the “I am not a paper cup” mug.


1. Tobias Wong's Sunjar $44
2. Twice Once Clock by Jonas Damon $80
3. Sonicum by Art Lebidev $120
4. I am not a Papercup (PRESALE!) $20
5. Furoshiki Shiki Cardholder $15

CB2

Oh how I love you CB2. For those of you unfamiliar with CB2, it is Crate and Barrel's better more affordable half (in my humble opinion). The design is modern, bright, and just plain cheery. CB2 one of those stores that I walk out of empty-handed because I want everything and can't bring myself to choose what to take home! I got a new CB2 catalog in the mail today and I must have dog-eared 90% of the pages, but I'll spare you the entire list and just include a few favorites here. I love #5, it would look so cute with a single Gerbera flower don't ya think?


1. Andy Warhol for CB2 Melamine Butterfly Plates - $1.95
2. Galvanized Square Planters - $9.95 - $24.95
3. Beaker Glass Decanter & Funnel - $2.50 - $14.95
4. Tiki Placemat - $3.95
5. Carton Vase - $6.95
6. Track Brass Wall Strips (3)- $129.00

Takin it back to the old school....

I was makin' the rounds on my favorite furniture sites, when I landed on the following awesome barcode doormat (only $14!) at Chiasso.


That got me thinking about all sorts of cute and geeky items I have come across recently. I realize that all the stuff is pretty old school, hence the title of this post. See below for a list of the items and where to purchase them.


1. Cuff made of an old record - Wreckords By Monkey
2. USB “Mixtape” - Urban Outfitters
3. Lego Earrings - Etsy Seller Gr0glmann
4. Nintendo Controller Pouch - Etsy Seller BraveMoonman
5. Recycled Leather Ghetto Blaster Belt - Etsy Seller broundoor
6. Custom Scrabble Tile Magnet Box Set - Etsy Seller littleputbooks (choose your own word!)

Wedding Date!!!!!!

It's official, we have a date and a location for the wedding! Wade and I will be getting married on May 16, 2009 in The Berkshires and our reception will be at MASS MoCA in North Adams, Massachusetts! Here are a few pictures from the MASS MoCA Flickr page as well as their official website! MASS MoCA is housed on a restored 19th century factory campus.

The space for the reception

via Mass Moca on Flickr

The exterior

via Mass Moca on Flickr

Someone else's reception at Mass Moca

via MASS MoCA's Official Website

I'm so excited to actually start planning! I've already subscribed to a few bridal blogs (see the left column for some of my favorites) and magazines but now I get to take a serious look at photographers, lighting, rentals, etc. As soon as we found out that you could rent the space at MASS MoCA, we were pretty pumped about the thought of having it there. We've visited there together before, and I feel like it is such an appropriate location. Wade was born in North Adams and his dad grew up just across the street from the Museum's campus at what is now The Porches Inn. Plus, HELLO!!! It's an Art Museum, one of my favorite ones and I can't wait to have a big party there! I'll be updating the blog with all sorts of fun stuff soon :)

Spring

I celebrated the 70-ish degree weather on Saturday by buying a few plants for the balcony! Then, I took a trip to Marshall's to buy some pots and a cute watering can... All in all, I bought 3 pots, the can, a cilantro plant, pansies, and some other kind of flower I can't remember. I'm pretty pumped for the weather to stay warm so that I can buy some more plants. Here's a pic of that watering can and one of the pots from Marshall's. The pots all cost me a mere $3.99 each.... I bought 3. The can was a little more expensive ($9.99) but considering the price I got for the pots, I was okay with it!


I'm pretty intent on keeping my winter coat put away, so let's cross our fingers for the weather to stay nice. Have a great week!

How could I not post this pic?

Bella was just trying to get in on all the twitter/google reader action! I had to do a quick post of this picture to share how ridiculous this cat is. Love her. Now, back to getting caught up with all my favorite blogs ... and twittering, polyvoring, and hearting :)

I'm on Twitter

I resisted twitter for so long, but it turns out that my inner geek has been dying to try it. So I'm trying it! If you haven't noticed, there's a little twitter section on the top right side of A Bella Life. Twitter is like We Heart it, but for updates on your friends, family, or favorite bloggers. Right now I' m "following" Holly Becker from Decor8. I know, it sounds sort of stalkerish, but only because I don't personally know her, hehe. I'm also following HGTVdecorating and EtsyFinds. But, it would be cool if some of my friends would twitter, hint hint. Who knows, we all might love it. So no harm in trying right? Check me out yo: abellalife on twitter.

We Heart It

We Heart It is my newest and latest addiction. Don't worry I'm equally (sort of) splitting time between Polyvore and We Heart It! My Google Reader has 891 unread articles, so I can't continue this addictive behavior too much longer or I'll miss out on all the latest updates from my favorite bloggers ;-)

Anyway, back to We Heart It. It's a fairly new site that lets you bookmark images and video that you like on the web. You can also add someone to your contacts and see what they are bookmarking. It's like a visual Twitter (which has to be a whole new post in itself since I just started using twitter)! For an idea of how this works, you can go to my page on We Heart It to see what pictures I've added to My Heart. I think its a pretty neat site, especially if you're looking for some inspiration! I'm also a big fan of photography and art, so it works out nicely for me. Give it a whirl, you may like it too :-)

Small & Cool

Is your apartment both small AND cool? One of my favorite sites Apartment Therapy is hosting their annual "Small Cool" contest. In order to enter the contest your apartment has to be under 850 square feet.

My favorite thing about the contest is looking through all the entries. People are so incredibly creative and talented, and its so neat to get a peak into their homes. So far my favorite entry is Lizzie's Cozy Chicago Hideaway. I'm sure there are some who would disagree, but to me it seems it would be really easy to make a small apartment cool if you have tons of expensive designer furniture and expensive architectural features as well. Lizzie's place is only 371 square feet, and t doesn't look (to me) like she had to spend a ton of money to make her home inviting, colorful, nicely furnished and nicely arranged. Here are my favorite pics of her place from her entry on Apartment Therapy.


For more pictures, visit Lizzie's Cozy Chicago Hideaway on the contest site.

And even though I don't know you, good luck Lizzie!!!!